This strategy is a structured process to gather the important issues. It allows individuals to come to a consensus by voting on the issues in priority order.  In this way least popular items are eliminated.

1.      Create a list of issues, ideas, opportunities, problem etc.  The list can be created individually and then as a whole group.

2.      Record the list for everyone to see (eliminate duplicates) eg white board, blackboard, flip chart etc

3.      Assign letters to each item

Example  Engaging students

               A    Attendance

               B    Subject choice

               C    Gender balance

               D   Classroom environment

4.      Each team member lists the letters and ranks them according to importance ( in this example, 4 is most important)

5.      The rankings are recorded against the items and totalled

                              A   2  2  1   3 = 8

                              B   4  1  3   2 = 10

                              C   1  4  2   1 = 8

                              D  3  3   4   4 = 14

     6. The team would work on the item that scores the highest  points.

·        Teams could be allocated to work on the first top items

·        Lower items could be eliminated from all aspect of planning

·        Develop action plans with roles and responsibilities around priority items